Catherine Tate: ‘Theatre is too expensive’

Doctor Who star Catherine Tate has slammed West End theatre for being too expensive.

Catherine’s comment comes after the Society of London Theatre’s annual report revealed that the West End enjoyed its most successful year of business in 2007.

It was found that musicals such as Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Grease, whose lead roles were chosen via talent shows Any Dream Will Do and Grease Is The Word, had performed particularly well.

Catherine is currently rehearsing her new play Under The Blue Sky, which is due to run in London’s Duke of York’s theatre.

The actress said: “If you want more people to come to the theatre, don’t put the prices at £50.

“You have to make theatre inclusive, and at the moment the prices are exclusive.”

Catherine added that famous actors should be cast in West End plays for the right reasons.

“Putting TV stars in plays just to get people in is wrong. You have to have the right people in the right parts.

“Stunt casting and being gimmicky does the theatre a great disservice.”

The comedian also said she would be happy to accept a lower fee for her theatre work if it meant ticket prices were cheaper, the BBC reports.

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